Thursday, April 6, 2017

5 Foods to Avoid If You Have Joint Pain

When
it comes to relieving joint pain, a disciplined diet can have hugely beneficial
effects. If you are affected by
arthritis, bursitis, or another conditions that cause pain in your joints, the
chemicals in some foods can result in increased inflammation and further pain.

We
all know that eating our greens is a good idea, but which foods need to be
avoided to manage pain? To help you improve your diet and look after your
joints, here are five foods you should aim to cut down on.

1. Sugar

Many
of us have a sweet tooth. Unfortunately, sugar doesn’t like our bodies as much
as we like it. For one thing, too much processed sugar in your diet can result in
weight gain, increasing the pressure you put on weight-bearing joints like your
knees. Sugar also triggers the release of inflammatory messengers called
cytokines, making your inflammation worse.

So
detox your fridge of things like soda, cake, chocolate and sweetened juices.
The occasional treat is okay, but cutting down your sugar intake is one of the
best things you can do to improve your overall health and take care of your
joints.

2. Red meat

You
should keep your intake of processed and red meats to a minimum, but you don’t
have to cut meat out altogether if you don’t want to. Lean proteins like
skinless chicken and quinoa are very good for you, providing vital nutrients
and energy. On the other hand, saturated fat is known to worsen arthritis and cause
inflammation.

If
you are affected by arthritis, you need to keep your cholesterol low. This
means saturated fats should comprise less than 10% of your calorie intake. Make
some simple dietary swaps like choosing oils over butter, and opting for low-fat
dairy products.

3. Dairy

The
jury is still out over whether small quantities of milk increase inflammation.
But many practitioners advise people with joint pain to cut back on dairy
consumption. If you like milk, limit the quantity you drink and always choose
1% or nonfat. Alternatively, opt for unsweetened almond milk instead.

4. Refined grains and
flour

When
we eat white bread and certain pastas, our digestive system quickly turns them
into sugar. Refined grains also have a greater concentration of inflammation
markers in our blood. Choose nutritious whole grains instead, like brown rice
and multi-grain bread.

5. Trans fat

Trans
fats have become synonymous with fast food, fried products, and junk food.
While these foods can be tempting, trans fats trigger systemic inflammation,
and should be avoided.

To
keep your joints healthy, cut down on processed snacks like potato chips, and
deep-fried foods such as French fries. Margarine, frozen packs, pies, donuts,
and certain cookies are also high in trans fats.

A few simple dietary changes can help reduce
your joint pain and improve your quality of life. If you are looking for long
term relief from joint pain, contact us to find out if alternative treatments like Stem
Cell Therapy are right for you.